I'm looking at a property that has several screw jacks installed in the basement. One of them is supporting a floor joist that's been sistered with another partially cut joist, while another supports a stair stringer leading down to the basement. I'm curious if these screw jacks can safely be used as a long-term support option. If they are acceptable, what methods can be used to prevent them from slipping out of place? Should I consider bolting them down or nailing them to the wood?
3 Answers
Honestly, I wouldn’t consider purchasing a property with such an issue. There are usually plenty of other options available that won’t come with these kinds of problems.
From my experience, I’ve had a floor joist with some weight on it cut back by about 2 feet, and it hasn't caused any issues in over five years. So, it seems like it might be okay if properly supported, but I’d look into it further.
Generally, screw jacks are seen as a temporary solution rather than a long-term fix. They were more common in the past, and while I've got some in my 1978 home that I've been meaning to replace, it hasn't been a top priority. It's worth noting that while they’re no longer up to code, there's typically no requirement for existing homes to be brought up to current standards. However, that doesn't necessarily make them unsafe; building codes do change over time.